§ MR. RIDSDALE (Brighton)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty how many battleships, armoured cruisers, and 349 protected cruisers have been removed from the fighting list of the Navy since January 1st, 1902; and how many of the same classes have been laid down?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. EDMUND ROBERTSON, Dundee)Since January 1st, 1902, the following ships have been removed from the lighting list:—eight battleships, ten armoured cruisers, twenty protected cruisers. The following ships have also been classed as of comparatively small fighting value:—three battleships, sixteen protected cruisers. Since the same date there have been laid down:—thirteen battleships, eighteen armoured cruisers, four protected cruisers.